The West Forsyth girls lacrosse team had no concerns that its 24-1 over Oak Mountain (Ala.) on Saturday would cause cockiness or complacency. The Wolverines know they're more disciplined, mature and driven than that.

Plus, as West head coach Barney Marchand pointed out, the Wolverines had another game during that weekend stint in Chattanooga: An 8-7 loss to the Baylor School.

"I feel like we're always working to get that next level and that next step," said West junior Ella Madson, who led the Wolverines with five goals in the game. "So I don't think we'll ever be complacent."

The Wolverines (4-1) looked sharp from the first whistle at South Forsyth on Wednesday night, going up 3-0 within the first seven minutes of the game and holding on for an 8-5 win.

Marchand felt that West could have done better at pulling away in the game and critiqued the Wolverines' offensive execution, but his team's defensive play produced enough chances for them to stay comfortably ahead. Every one of West's goals came off a restart from a penalty, and while South goalkeeper Kayla Casey made a number of solid stops against the Wolverines, West had a significant advantage just based on chances.

And while the second half was a much closer one for South (2-2), with the War Eagles holding West scoreless for the final 20 minutes of game time, they couldn't amass the possession and chances to approach a tie or lead.

"They kept it close," Marchand said of South. "They did a very good job. They're well-coached on their team, too."

Tuesday's win further staked West's place in the top half of Area 5-7A. Marchand admitted that Milton may not be a realistic target, with the Eagles being "in a league of their own," but Madson expressed excitement at the prospect of testing the Wolverines' mettle against teams like county rival Lambert or area foe Alpharetta, who West faces on April 13.

"We're going to get even better than we are now," Madson said. "I really want to make a run in the region, and I think this team can do it."